AikiWeb Aikido Forums - View Single Post - Poll: Do we need to study Japanese culture in order to "understand" aikido?

chadsieger · 11-24-2002, 12:19 AM

I would highly reccommed studying as much of the Japanese culture as possible.

As a Westerner, raised with "Western" reasoning, approaching Aikido was similar to walking on mars. The more I learn about the culture of "The East" in general, the more I feel that I've developed as an Aikidoka and martial artist.

This is just my opinion, possibly due to the the fact that I have been blessed with some very productive encounters.

An excellent book, "The Sword and the Brush," which defines the etemology of 40+ budo terms, should quell the harshest sceptic.

Thanks,

Sieger (My friends call me Sieger

)

11-24-2002, 12:19 AM	#2
chadsieger Dojo: Minh Sensei Location: Allentown, PA Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 105 Offline	I would highly reccommed studying as much of the Japanese culture as possible. As a Westerner, raised with "Western" reasoning, approaching Aikido was similar to walking on mars. The more I learn about the culture of "The East" in general, the more I feel that I've developed as an Aikidoka and martial artist. This is just my opinion, possibly due to the the fact that I have been blessed with some very productive encounters. An excellent book, "The Sword and the Brush," which defines the etemology of 40+ budo terms, should quell the harshest sceptic. Thanks, Sieger (My friends call me Sieger)
	Heaven is right where you are standing, and that is exactly the place to train- M. Ueshiba